10/10/2007

OP Chamber to Honor Marie Gilmore and DeNovo’s
By Dolores E. Pike

Remember When

The Ocean Pines Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual awards and installation dinner on Thursday October 11 at Phillips Seafood House in Ocean City. At that time Marie Gilmore will receive an award naming her 2007 Outstanding Citizen of the Year and DeNovo's trattoria will receive an award naming it 2007 Outstanding Business of the Year.

In nominating Mrs. Gilmore the Chamber cited her support of and fundraising efforts on behalf of the Ocean City Parrothead Club. Among some of the other organizations that have benefited greatly from her efforts are the Wellness Community, the Agape Project, Harper McCaughan School in Mississippi and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines.

In nominating DeNovo's trattoria the Chamber cited the many organizations that have benefited from Bob and Kelli Beck's commitment to the community.  Among some of the organizations that they have served are area churches and service clubs (Kiwanis and Lions), the Salvation Army, Ocean Pines Library and fund raisers supporting a variety of medical causes.

The 2007-2008 incoming board of directors of the Ocean Pines Chamber will be installed.  The board includes Ron Fisher as incoming president with board members Chip Bertino, The Courier; Andrea Hastings, Mitchell and Hastings Financial Services; Megan Jennings, Atlantic General Hospital; Terri Mahoney, Comcast Spotlight; Vivian Muir, Atlantic General Hospital; House Doctors; and Cynthia Walston, Countrywide Loans.

In speaking recently to Ron Fisher, the incoming chamber president, he spoke about the goals of the chamber when he said, "The real focus of the board is to expand the visibility of the chamber and provide enhanced benefits for members."

As a result of additional board meetings held earlier this year the board developed a strategic plan that includes four goals.  These goals are to pursue excellence and quality in leadership; improve and promote membership benefits; expand community involvement; and increase membership annually by 10 percent.

In summing up her year as president of the board, outgoing president Vivian Muir said, "I am pleased at how we worked together to develop a two year strategic plan. Pleased to see the increase and diversity of memberships, everything from restaurants to book clubs to insurance. Pleased that the members see the chamber as a way to promote their businesses."

And the legacy for commitment to businesses of Ocean Pines and surrounding communities continues today as the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce, first organized in 1975, continues to serve the approximately 300 businesses on its membership rolls.